Thank you for purchasing the Korg KARMA music workstation. To ensure trouble-free enjoyment, please read this manual carefully and use the instrument as directed. About this manual Conventions in this manual Abbreviations for the manuals BG, PG, GE, VNL References to the manuals included with this instru- The owner’s manuals and how to use...

This allows you to freely apply to the sound or the phrase/pattern generated by modulation to parameters that affect the pitch, KARMA by using a rich array of controllers such as filter, amp, EG, LFO, and effects etc. joystick, [SW1], [SW2], REALTIME CONTROLS [1]–[4] •...

• Here you can use the 16-track sequencer to record effects, and KARMA function etc. and playback songs. • A song can use up to four KARMA modules. Select a multisample (the following multisamples • You can make effect settings for your song.

• You can use a maximum of 20 cue lists, 200 songs, and 100 preset patterns. One song can use as many as 100 patterns. • KARMA Music Workstation can be used as a 16- track multitimbral tone generator. • You can perform using the RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) function, and make settings for it.

Front and rear panel Front panel 1. EXB-PCM slot cover (EXB-PCM option) 3. [SW1] key, [SW2] key Open this cover to install separately sold EXB- These keys are on/off switches for the functions to PCM series option boards. which they were assigned in Program, Combina- Two slots are provided.

When you press a key, the LED will light, and you will enter that mode. ( p.14). 8. KARMA REALTIME CONTROLS [COMBI] key These allow you to control the KARMA function as Combination mode will be selected. you play. ( p.27). [PROG] key [ON/OFF] key Program mode will be selected.

Sequencer mode ( p.15). You can also move to a desired page by holding When you operate the KARMA Realtime Controls down the [MENU] key and using numeric keys knobs [1]–[8] or switches [1]/[2] in Program, Com- [0]–[7] to enter a two-digit page number.

CURSOR keys [ ], [ ], [ ], [ ] 16.SEQUENCER Use these keys to select different parameters on [PAUSE] key screen. In addition, you can hold down the [MENU] key In Sequencer mode, this key pauses the song or and use cursor keys [ ], [ ] to switch pages on cue list playback.

1. [POWER] switch ASSIGNABLE PEDAL jack This switch turns the power on/off ( p.17). A separately sold Korg EXP-2 or XVP-10 expres- sion pedal can be connected here ( p.13). 2. AC power supply connector (~AC9V) Its function can be assigned in Global mode, allow- ing you to use the pedal to control the volume, etc.

Current page d: Edit cell e: Check box In Combination, Sequencer, or Song Play modes, these are used to select the KARMA module that you wish to edit. In Song Play mode or Disk mode, these select the current directory.

* Page menu the execution or operation screen. In some cases, a dialog box will appear. Follow the directions In Combination, Program, Sequencer, Song Play, or shown in the dialog box. Global modes, pressing the [MENU] key will dis- To execute, select (press the [F8] key).

Connections If you playback this instrument through your ste- Connecting audio equipment etc. reo audio system, be aware that high volumes may damage your speakers. Be careful not to raise the volume excessively. Connections must be made with the power turned off.

Use MIDI cables to connect the MIDI connectors tions, and to start/stop the sequencer etc. of this instrument with the MIDI connectors of Connect a separately sold Korg foot switch such as the your external device. PS-1 to the rear panel ASSIGNABLE SWITCH jack.

In order to use a particular function on the selected page, and that page will appear. KARMA, you must ﬁrst select the appropriate As an example here, press the [F3] key three times to mode. Press one of the front panel mode keys select “KeyZ,”...

Use the [./HOLD] key to enter a decimal point. In the 1.1: Play page of Program and Combination modes, the [./HOLD] key will perform the Category Hold or 10’s Hold function. (PG p.2) The [ENTER] key is also used when setting the KARMA Realtime Controls knobs and switches. (PG p.6)

The Compare function is not available Global modes. When operating the KARMA Realtime Controls knobs [1]–[8] and switches [1]/[2] in Program, Combination, Sequencer, and Song Play modes, pressing the [COM- PARE] key will revert to the settings that were written.

1. Turning the power on (GLOBAL 1.1: System, Preference page). If “Power On Mode” is Reset (factory setting), this 1 Press KARMA Music Workstation’S [POWER] instrument will automatically selects the Combination switch to turn on the power. mode 1.1: Play.

Listening to a demo song Contents of the disks Loading the demo song data in This instrument comes with one ﬂoppy disk (KMFD- Disk mode 00P). PRELOAD.PCG 1 Insert the included “KMFD-00P” ﬂoppy disk into • Preloaded data (programs, combinations, drum the disk drive.

Selecting and playing a demon- Playing a cue list stration song in Sequencer mode Here’s how to playback the demonstration cue list. By using a cue list, you can repeatedly play multiple songs 1 Press the [SEQ] key (the LED will light). that you specify in the cue list, or play songs consecu- You will enter Sequencer mode.

PCM ROM multisamples, If it is not selected, use the cursor keys [ ], [ ], [ ], effects, and the KARMA function. [ ] to highlight the program name in “Program C, D With the factory settings, these banks do not Select.”...

Using a connected switch to select programs A separately sold on/off-type switch (such as the sepa- rately sold Korg PS-1) can be connected to the rear Program Category panel ASSIGNABLE SWITCH connector, and assigned a program select function.

An separately sold on/off type foot switch such as the bank B, press the BANK [B] key. (The upper left of Korg PS-1 can be connected to the ASSIGNABLE the LCD screen will indicate Bank B.) SWITCH jack, and used to select combinations.

Using controllers to modify the sound This instrument provides a variety of controllers that on/off status of the [SW1] and [SW2] keys is can be used to control the tone, pitch, volume, effects, saved. and arpeggiator etc. in realtime while you play. For details on making these settings, refer to p.103 “Setting the function of [SW1] and [SW2]”.

4 To release the locked condition, press the [SW1] you can modify the brightness of the sound. key once again. Level REALTIME CONTROL [1], [2], [3], [4] Cutoff These knobs can be used to control the ﬁlter cutoff fre- frequency quency and resonance, the amp and ﬁlter EG, volume, portamento time, pan, pitch LFO, or the send levels to Knob [3]: EG-INTENSITY...

DS-1H is connected, it will function as a half-damper pedal. The half-damper function cannot be controlled by other pedals. Assignable Foot Switch A separately sold on/off switch such as the Korg PS-1 Functions assigned to the Functions assigned [SW1] and [SW2] keys to Knob1—4...

Program mode the tempo you specify. The setting of the knob will be saved when you In Program mode you can use one KARMA module to write the program. play a phrase or pattern appropriate for the program sound.

Turning the KARMA function on/off: [ON/ OFF] key Each time you press the [ON/OFF] key, the KARMA 2 Press the CHORD TRIGGER [ASSIGN] key. function will turn on/off. When on, the key LED will The [ASSIGN] key LED will light.

This is convenient when you wish to restore a knob or Names appropriate for the functions of the KARMA switch to its original position after adjusting it. Realtime Controls knobs and switches are already speciﬁed for the preloaded programs.

“Select by Category,” VNL) (p.26) “Init. K.RTC (Init. KARMA Realtime Controls)” It is not possible to set the tempo of each KARMA This setting speciﬁes whether the settings of the module separately. KARMA Realtime Controls knobs and switches will be initialized when you select a GE.

KARMA module. Settings for KARMA module operation The key zone settings of the four KARMA modules are dis- (“Run” and “Solo” settings) played as a solid line. In Combination mode, up to four KARMA modules can operate simultaneously.

KARMA module MIDI I/O channel set- tings The MIDI input/output channel settings for each KARMA module and the MIDI channel setting for each timbre will determine the routing by which the KARMA modules will play the timbres. When the MIDI output channel of a KARMA module...

Playing with the RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) function This instrument’s Sequencer mode provides an RPPR Shutdown Keys: (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) function. Using the RPPR function, each note of the keyboard When you play a key in the range of C–1 – C2, the cur- can be assigned to a preset pattern or user pattern and rently-playing pattern will stop.

(“OK”) key. The Select Program by Category dialog box will appear. If the KARMA [ON/OFF] key is on, turn it off. This combination layers (simultaneously sounds) the programs of timbre 1 and timbre 2. Timbre 1 sounds B001: Attack Piano, a piano with a crisp attack.

Adjusting the stereo location of the sound Listening to the program sound of just one timbre 5 Select the Mixer page. Press the [F8] (“UTILITY”) key to access the utility Press the [F3] (“Mix”) key. Here you can adjust the menu, and press the [F7] key to choose “Solo pan and volume for timbres 1–8.

The screen shown is for Program mode Writing to internal memory Memory protect 2 In “Category,” specify the category of the program/ To prevent programs, combinations, songs and user combination. drum kits from being overwritten accidentally, the this instrument provides a Memory Protect setting that pro- If the category you specify here is for a program, hibits writing to memory.

The function buttons will have the following functions. Assigning a name (Rename) Clear: Erase all text. Del (Delete): Delete the character at the cursor loca- You can modify the name of an edited program, combi- tion. nation, song, drum kit. Ins (Insert): Insert a space at the cursor location.

Memory in Global mode Writing global settings and user drum When the power is turned on, the Global mode data is kits called from internal memory into the Global mode memory area. Then when you modify the parameters The settings you edit in Global mode can be written in Global mode, the data in the memory area will be into internal memory.

3 Press the [F2] (“Save”) key to access the Save page. 1) Make sure that you have a sufﬁcient number of ﬂoppy disks, and press the [F8] (“OK”) key. Sav- 4 If the media contains directories, select the direc- ing will begin. tory in which you wish to save the data.

Restoring the factory settings Loading the preload data The factory setting data is referred to as the “preload data”, and you can restore the factory settings for this instrument’s programs, combinations, and global set- tings by loading this preload data. This will rewrite any data that had been written before loading.

In 1.1: Play you can select and play programs. You can With the factory settings, this instrument’s program also edit the sound in simple ways, and make KARMA bunks A, B, and E contain preloaded programs. You function settings. (p.26, p.33) can modify these programs, or create your own origi- In 2.1: Ed–Basic–7.3: Ed–MasterFX, you can edit the...

ﬁnishing touches. When KARMAfunction set- using the program. If this is set to Mono, only one note tings (6.1 – 6.4: Ed-KARMA) and controller settings will sound even if you play a chord. Normally you will (2.2: Ed-Ctrl) are added to this, the ﬁnal result is called set this to Poly, but it is effective to use Mono when a “program.”...

Notes played on a connected MIDI keyboard at a make ﬁlter and amp settings, and specify routing to velocity less than the value you specify will sound the effects and to the individual audio outputs. the Low multisample; velocities at or above this •...

EG (Pitch EG) page Pitch The “JS (–X)” and “JS(+X)” settings specify the amount Here you can make settings for the pitch EG. of pitch change (in semitones) that will occur when When you wish to create sound effects etc., set the MIDI pitch bend messages are received or when the pitch EG to make major changes in pitch over time.

Basic page Mod.1, Mod.2 page Controllers and the ﬁlter EG can be used to modulate Filter Type, Filter A, Filter B the ﬁlter cutoff frequency that was speciﬁed in the Selects the type of ﬁlter, and specify the “Frequency” Basic page. By using a controller to vary the tone or by (cutoff frequency) and “Resonance”...

EG page you will set this to C064. If “Mode (Oscillator Mode)” is Double and you wish to create a sense of stereo, set Indicates settings for the ﬁlter EG, which controls time- the 5.1: Ed-Amp1 and 5.2: Ed-Amp2 parameter “Pan” variant changes in tone (PG p.18).

KARMA function settings sample, you can produce a sound with a character 6.1: Ed–KARMA. unlike a typical organ. Piano Here you can make KARMA function settings (p.77). BUS settings 7.1: Ed–BUS Organ You can specify the oscillator routing (the signal sent to the insert effects, master effects, and independent out- puts) (p.98).

More about Alternate Modulation Alternate Modulation is a type of modulation that can be used to control various aspects of the sound. AMS (Alternate Modulation Source) refers to any of the numerous sources that can control alternate modu- lation, and includes controllers that you operate physi- cally such as the joystick and realtime controllers, incoming MIDI data, as well as modulators such as the EG or LFO.

Program grams (bank A, B and E) and KARMA function and mode. In addition, you can make KARMA function set- effects. You can edit these combinations, or create your tings (in 6.1–6.4: Ed-KARMA.) and controller settings...

Layer, split, and velocity switch The Compare function Within a combination, you can use keyboard location When you press the [COMPARE] key (LED lit), the and velocity to change the program that sounds. The combination that had been written before you begin programs assigned to each timbre can sound in three editing will be recalled.

This is so that different programs for each timbre ting of the program. Moving this to left or right will will play when the KARMA function is on. Set the move the sound to left or right while preserving the MIDI “Input Channel”...

This setting controls whether the timbre will sound INT for all the timbres that you wish to use, and when KARMA is turned on/off by the KARMA [ON/ set “MIDI Channel” to either Gch or to match the OFF] key. (p.51) global MIDI channel (a “G”...

Select a strings program for timbre 2. 2 In the MIDI page of 3.1: Ed-Param1, set “Status” to Indicates settings for the KARMA function (p.83). INT for all the timbres that you wish to use, and set “MIDI Channel” to either Gch or to match the global MIDI channel (a “G”...

• Sequencer data such as a song or cue list that you cue list can also be converted into a single song. create can be saved in this instrument’s native • The KARMA function can be used for playback or format, or transmitted as a MIDI data dump. recording.

A song consists of tracks 1–16, a master track, song • Preset patterns: Patterns suitable for drum tracks parameters such as the song name, effect, KARMA are preset in internal memory, and can be selected module and RPPR parameters, and 100 user patterns.

Press [PAUSE] once again, and playback will Cue List resume. • Pressing the [ REW], [FF ] keys will rewind A cue list allows you to playback multiple songs in or fast-forward. succession. This instrument allows you to create 20 cue These can be used during playback or when paused.

This is the method you will use when using the RPPR function and KARMA function to record multiple tracks of musical data at once, or when you playback existing sequence data on an external sequencer and record it onto this instrument’s...

• Overdub Realtime recording on a track With this method, the newly recorded musical data is added to the existing data. When you perform overdub recording on a previ- Preparations for recording ously-recorded track, the newly recorded data will be added to the previously-recorded data. Before you begin recording, you need to make track It is best to select this method when you wish to add settings.

6 Press the [REC/WRITE] key. 5 When you ﬁnish playing, press the [START/STOP] key. This instrument will enter record-standby mode. The “PLAY/MUTE/REC” of the track(s) you speci- Recording will end, and the location will return to ﬁed in step 4 will change from PLAY to REC. the point at which you begin recording.

Auto punch-in 5 Press the [REC/WRITE] key, and then press the [START/STOP] key. 1 Make the necessary settings in “Preparations for Playback will begin. When you reach the starting recording.” location you speciﬁed in step 3, recording will 2 In the SEQ 1.1: Play/REC Preferences page REC begin.

Clock”) to External, so that this instrument will can be recorded simultaneously using multi recording. synchronize to the MIDI clock of the external For the procedure, refer to “KARMA function settings sequencer (PG p.137). for Sequencer mode” (p.85) 2 Make settings as described in “Preparations for When simultaneously recording multiple tracks recording”...

“Loop Start Meas” to 001, and “Loop End Meas” to tion” (PG p.72). 008. If you wish to use the KARMA function settings of 5 Next we will record synth brass riffs on track 3. a copied combination and record the KARMA Select a synth brass program for track 3.

LFO1 depth (pitch) (CC#77) 64 (center) LFO1 delay (CC#78) 64 (center) If the KARMA function has been set to operate on the track that is selected by “Track Select,” the play- Filter EG intensity (CC#79) 64 (center) back of the KARMA function will be recorded in the...

Step recording on a track or pattern Creating and playing a Cue List To step record on a track, use the SEQ 5.2: Track Edit, A cue list allows you to play multiple songs in succes- Track Edit, page utility menu command “Step Record- sion.

started or when switching from song to song. Although it will not be possible to change effect types within the cue list, you can use dynamic modulation or MIDI control changes such as Effect Control to control the effects within the cue list, for example applying reverb more deeply on certain songs, or raising the LFO speed for a speciﬁc song.

program specified for the currently playing song RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/ will sound. Recording) function Tempo Mode Track For details on the RPPR function, refer to “Playing Select with the RPPR function” (p.32). Here we will give an Last step example of how to make RPPR settings, and how to playback and record.

“Pattern Select”: P00: Pop&Balad 1/Std “Track”: T01: Drums If the song is stopped, the pattern will synchronize to the timing of the KARMA function. (p.89) Now let’s suppose that we want to make the following settings. • If you are playing the pattern in synchronization “KEY”: D2...

slightly earlier than the timing of the beat or You will record all tracks played by RPPR and the measure. Even if you play the note slightly later keyboard performance track selected by “Track than the beat or measure (but no later than a 32nd Select.”...

If you perform the following operations while cre- Jukebox function ating a jukebox list, the jukebox list will be lost. • Change the directory • Remove the ﬂoppy disk Playback using the Jukebox function Saving/loading a Jukebox list This instrument provides a Jukebox function that can be used to playback SMF data.

KARMA generates phrases and patterns in real-time, back functions. generating not just notes but MIDI control data as well. The KARMA function is the heart of the Karma Music The KARMA architecture allows the various algo- Workstation. rithms to be re-conﬁgured and varied in realtime, as Whether you are playing programs or combinations, you play them.

“Input Channel” and generated by the KARMA module. “Output Channel” (6.1-2a) speciﬁed for each mod- They can be set for each KARMA module to select the ule. GE and specify MIDI input and output channels, key GE (Generated Effect) zones, MIDI ﬁlter, triggering, and other functions not...

KARMA module. (“RT to control speciﬁc aspects of the KARMA function. Parm” speciﬁes the parameter that will be controlled.) By using this you can control the KARMA module in [SCENE] key realtime in various ways, such as using the joystick to The settings of knobs [1]–[8] and switches [1]/[2] are...

KARMA function in each mode. For details on using the KARMA function to perform, refer to “Performing 3 In “GE Select,” select the GE that the KARMA with the KARMA function” (p.26). module will use. Use “Tempo” to specify the tempo of the GE phrase or pattern.

KARMA module. transmission. In the settings shown in the example above, notes between C-1 and B3 will be input to the KARMA KARMA module parameters module. When you play B3 or lower keys, the In the PROG 6.2: Ed-KARMA MDl Parm1 and Parm2 KARMA function will produce a phrase or pattern.

Any: Triggering will occur each time you play the key- board, and the phrase or pattern will start playing from As an example, here’s how you can use a KARMA the beginning. Realtime Controls knob to control the KARMA AKR: Triggering will occur only when you play the module parameter “Transpose.”...

Linking KARMA settings to a program state. Normally you will leave this On when select- If you want the KARMA settings written in a program ing a GE. (p.80 “KARMA function settings in Pro- to also be selected when you select that program, turn gram mode”, PG p.47 COMBI 1.1–4c)

We will make settings so that timbre 1 is played by a such as the keyboard range that will send input notes bass phrase from KARMA module [A], and timbre 2 by to that module, and the MIDI ﬁlter settings. These a piano phrase from KARMA module [B].

[MLTI]. board playing in realtime (multi-track recording). This tells you the timbre of the phrase that the KARMA Realtime Controls knobs and switches are controlling. Data from the internal sequencer will not be input to the KARMA modules.

3 Access the SEQ 6.1: KARMA Setup page. Select a 9 You can also synchronize the KARMA modules to GE for KARMA module [A], and set the parame- the start timing of the sequencer. ters. • Pressing the [START/STOP] key while KARMA is operating will synchronize the KARMA function to the sequencer.

The tempo of the SMF and KARMA function can- performance in Sequencer mode not be set independently. If you wish to play or record a KARMA module in syn- 6 If you wish to synchronize the KARMA module to chronization with the timing of a currently-playing the SMF that is playing, set “Quantize Trig”...

The KARMA function will be reset, and will start from the beginning of the phrase or pattern. • If the SMF is playing and the KARMA function is operating, and you change the location by (for example) pressing the [LOCATE] key, the KARMA function will be reset, and will start from the beginning of the phrase or pattern.

Global mode In Global mode you can make settings that affect entire Multisample programs and drum kit programs this instrument, such as user scales, category names, drum kits (PG p.133). There are two types of programs: those whose oscilla- tor uses a multisample, and those whose oscillator This chapter will describe the procedure for editing a uses a drum kit.

Set “Octave” to +0 [8']. With a setting other than +0 By setting “Drumsample Bank” to ROM you can [8'], the relation between the keys and the sounds select ROM drum samples, or to EXB* to select will be incorrect. drum samples from a separately sold EXB-PCM series option.

own insert effect or AUDIO OUTPUT (INDIVID- UAL) jack 1–2. For example you might set snare-type sounds to IFX1 and kick sounds to IFX2, so that these sounds would be sent to insert effects 1 and 2 respectively. If you wish to send only speciﬁc drumsamples to AUDIO OUTPUT (INDIVIDUAL) jacks 1, 2, select 1,2 or 1/2.

Disk mode How Disk mode is organized Loading data In Disk mode you can use ﬂoppy disks to save or load various types of data. You can also make settings Types of data that can be loaded related to saving and loading functionality. The data that can be loaded from ﬂoppy disk is shown in the diagram at the bottom of the previous page.

ﬁle that you load. For details on each ﬁle, These .PCG and .SNG ﬁles do not contain settings refer to PG p.149. for the KARMA function. When they are loaded, all parameters related to the KARMA function will be reset to the default values.

Inserting a ﬂoppy disk With the label of the ﬂoppy disk facing upward, insert it into the disk drive. Press the disk inward until it clicks into place. Malfunctions will occur if you use excessive force to insert the disk. Disks must be inserted gently, and straight in.

Effects settings The effect section of this instrument provides ﬁve Effects in each mode insert effects, two master effects, one master EQ (ste- reo 3-band EQ), and a mixer that controls the routing of these components. In Program mode, insert effects can be used as part of You can choose from 102 types of full-digital effects for the sound-creating process, in the same way that the each insert effect, and from 89 types for each master...

Master effects Effect settings for Combination, The input levels to the master effects are set by the “Send Level 1, 2” (step 3 or 8). If “Send Level 1, 2” Song, and Song Play are zero, the master effects will not apply. “Send Level 1”...

A Turn the [TEMPO] knob. delay-type effects to the tempo of the KARMA function When you (move the joystick away from yourself or an external sequencer. and) rotate the knob, the delay time will change.

Here we will show how to make settings that allow an assignable switch to change programs or combinations. Normally, effects are turned on/off within each pro- 1 Connect a Korg PS-1 pedal switch (separately sold gram, combination, or song, or in Sampling mode or option) to the ASSIGNABLE SWITCH jack.

6 Set “Foot SW Polarity” to the polarity of the pedal Creating original scales you connected. If you connected a Korg PS-1 pedal switch, select (-) You can create your own original scales. You can create KORG Standard. The pedal will not function cor- sixteen different User Octave Scales in which the pitch rectly if you do not select the correct polarity.

Setting the function of [SW1] and Setting the B-mode functions of [SW2] REALTIME CONTROLS [1]–[4] You can specify the function of the [SW1] and [SW2] You can specify the B-mode functions of REALTIME keys ( PG p.230). CONTROLS knobs [1]–[4]. The functions of the [SW1] and [SW2] keys are set inde- The B-mode functions are set independently for each pendently for each program, combination, and song.

Appendices Troubleshooting If you experience problems, refer to the relevant item • In GLOBAL 6.1: Controller, make sure that and take the appropriate measures. “Damper Polarity” or “Foot SW Polarity” is set correctly. Power does not turn on ................ PG p.145 •...

(with its write protect hole covered) into the disk drive, and format it once again. • Is the [ON/OFF] key on (lit)? • If the KARMA module does not start playing in Can’s save/load data to/from a ﬂoppy disk Combination, Sequencer, or Song Play mode, has •...